HANOVER, Virginia (From news reports) -- When Bear Island closed the doors at its Hanover County facility more than a year ago, the economic loss for the county was significant. But, the real impact was felt by the 165 employees who lost their well-paying jobs.
An upcoming announcement by Gov. Ralph Northam is breathing new life into the shuttered facility and bringing some of those jobs back to Hanover County.
Cascades Inc. of Canada announced plans this week to invest $275 million to open the first pulp production facility in the United States.
The company's website provides insight regarding the scope of their operations.
"Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Company employs 11,000 employees, who work in more than 90 production units located in North America and Europe."
When the Bear Island site on Old Ridge Road closed in 2017, officials of parent company White Birch Paper cited declining demand for their main product, newsprint. The plant produced more than 240,000 metric tons of pulp-based newsprint annually.
Gov. Northam said, "This major investment and the 140 jobs it will create is a major win for Hanover County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. International companies continue to choose the Commonwealth for its world-class workforce and outstanding infrastructure. The location in Hanover County offers Cascades a turnkey facility ready for the company to install equipment and put a shuttered asset back into use, creating good jobs for Virginia workers in the region."
Hanover County Board of Supervisors chairman Sean Davis, Henry District, welcomed news that jobs will be returning to Hanover County and an important part of the county's economy is making a return appearance.
In a prepared statement, Davis said, "As chairman of the board, I want to welcome Cascades to Hanover County," Davis said. "The Bear Island facility has played a critical role in the local Hanover economy for almost 40 years and we are excited to see that continue with the capital investment being made to up-fit and repurpose the plant along with the new jobs that this announcement will bring," he continued.
The Toronto-based company specializes in packaging and tissue paper production and employs more than 11,000 employees worldwide.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
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* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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Jim Thompson is back again...with a new book on a taboo subject: the personalities in the pulp & paper industry. Jim has written in the past on many subjects based on his four plus decades in the worldwide pulp and paper industry. This new book is packed full of information valuable to the senior member of the industry as well as the recent entrant. A must for every pulp and paper library. |
